These small yellow puffs, which smell wonderfully good and breathe the joy of living, have finally blossomed! The mimosa is here, and this is the best time to enjoy it.
Originally from Australia, it was brought to Europe by the English around 1780, especially to the Côte d’Azur, which our neighbours came to appreciate greatly. Thanks to a climate that is ideal for this plant, belonging to the Acacia family, mimosa can be seen everywhere in the region each year, from February onwards.
Mimosa is sold as a plant to decorate and freshen our homes and gardens; it is used in creams to perfume them, but it is also enjoyed as sweets, honey, jelly… we simply adore it!
Besides being beautiful and delicious, mimosa is also said to have therapeutic virtues: indeed, it was already used in antiquity by the Indian, Mayan and Aztec healers for its regenerative properties. It is said to be capable of treating mature and weakened skin, restructuring tissues, and also soothing the pain of burns.
A place:
La Colline des Mimosas in Pégomas:
The Raynaud family, for 3 generations, has cultivated mimosa, which grows across hillsides. Since 1860, the mimosa has flourished on this favoured land thanks to hard labour, for growing mimosa is no easy task.
If you want to learn everything about mimosa, this is the place to come. After a visit to the forcing house, you will learn the technique of forcing and preservation, and how a bouquet is composed. You will be guided by the producer and may also tour the fields by 4×4. Ideal for a family outing, very pleasant and fun for children.
Adults: €6. Free for children. Monday to Saturday inclusive, 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm. 10 Impasse des Arnauds, 06580 Pégomas. Tel: +33 493 42 21 52.
An event:
The Mimosa Festival in Mandelieu-La-Napoule:
Held this year from 19 to 26 February, with a Belle Époque theme, this festival has been one of the town’s major events since 1931.
Parades of floats magnificently decorated with freshly picked mimosa, as well as a battle of flowers.
On Friday the 21st, you will enjoy a special nighttime “Belle Époque” show with an aquatic performance, illuminated fountains, image projections on a water screen and fireworks, enough to delight children and adults alike.
And of course, the election of Miss Mimosa 2020, Saturday 22 February at 2pm.
Seated places in the stands: €15/adult and €13/child. For more information: tel: +33 493 93 64 64.
A stroll:
The Circuit du Grand Duc in Mandelieu:
This 6 km walk will take you roughly 2 hours. It is an easy stroll, without difficulty, and therefore suitable for both adults and children. If you wish, you can have lunch on site at the tables set up in the first part of the circuit.
All along the walk you will be able to admire the magnificent mimosas; it is worth knowing that the Tanneron massif is home to the largest mimosa forest in Europe. The Grand Duc forest, which is part of this massif, is filled with mimosas.
You will also be able to admire the cork oaks, with steps carved into the cork leading to observation posts in the trees. You will be dazzled by the coarse-crystal pegmatite, a volcanic igneous rock studded with quartz, feldspar and mica crystals that sparkle on the ground all along the route and particularly on the road to Barbossi. A superb walk, ideal in February.
For more information: www.mairie-mandelieu.fr or Tel: +33 492 19 68 52.
A workshop:
The Mimosa Macaron to make and eat:
New this year, you will be able to learn how to make mimosa macarons with pastry chef Nicolas Dénis, who has over 20 years of experience and has worked in the finest palaces of the Côte.
The venue: the restaurant of the Maison du Lac at Saint Cassien, a magnificent spot where you can enjoy breathtaking views and relax.
Places are limited and the workshop is free. Tuesday 25 February 2020 and Saturday 29 February 2020, from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Tel: 07 86 11 69 83.
A treat:
The Mimosa d’Agay by Didier Carrié:
Didier Carrié, whom his clients call Monsieur Chocolat, worked with the greatest chefs such as Marc Veyrat and Jacques Maximin before opening his own shop. He also runs an artisanal factory. Charmed by the Agay region, he met Roger Pellero, an important encounter as he eventually handed over his factory to him, and it was in this place that Didier would invent original and delicious recipes. He now continues to create new products made with chocolates from around the world.
Mimosa d’Agay er en trøffel af hvid chokolade, parfumeret med mimosa, konfit citronskal, let krydret med en urtelikør og rullet i krystalliseret mimosapudder. En delikatesse, hvis opskrift Didier har fået patent på.
Le Palet d’Or, 170 rue de l’Agay, 83530, Saint Raphaël Agay. Tlf.: + 33 494 82 00 88.
“Naturens skuespil er altid smukt” Aristoteles
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